Willow Earth (Sussex) is a delightful company that makes beautiful rucksacks and totes with natural cork logos from strong cotton canvas. But even better, it uses the offcuts to make tote bags, wallets and purses, so there’s no waste.
You can usually just wipe-clean rucksacks. For any synthetic materials, launder in a microfibre filter.
Bags & Rucksacks (from upcycled rubber)
Ecowings is a brand of funky black bags and rucksacks, all made ethically from the recycled inner tubes of trucks, to save them wasting away on landfills. Due to their previous use, these bags are super-strong and sturdy, and one purchase should last you years.
The backpacks are made by hand, and come with handy storage compartments and waterproof zippers, your laptop or tablet protected by cushioned linings on the bottom. They also feature padded handles and adjustable shoulder straps.
Some items are lined with recycled PET (plastic) bottles, and some have handles made from discarded seat belts. These items are unique and also there are other products in the range, including a large basket to store logs or toys, and wallets with key cases.
Recycled Bottle Rucksacks (from Yorkshire)
Indie Clothing is a sustainable fashion brand from Yorkshire. The backpacks are made from recycled plastic bottles, and feature magnetic roll-top closures and padded adjustable mesh shoulder straps, for comfort.
There is a padded laptop compartment with an external pocket, and additional zippered side pocket for a reusable water bottle or umbrella, an exterior zipped front pocket, and an internal slip pocket.
The padded air mesh panel ensures breathability, and the self-coloured zip pullers add a refined touch.
The company also sells matching bum bags, for smaller adventures. Again free from PVC, and made from recycled plastic bottles.
Recycled Polyester Rucksacks (from Wales)
JunkBox Apparel is a brand founded in Wales, by a keen traveller who thinks that carrying an eco rucksack should be fun and comfortable.
The Everyday is a fun mustard roll-top bag, small and compact with a zip pocket for glasses and keys, a front zipped organiser for wallet, keys and pens, plus a padded back panel and shoulder straps.
The Adventurer features a padded laptop compartment, a small front zipper pocket for your keys, phone and wallet. Plus a padded back panel and base, with adjustable shoulder straps.
Roll Top Backpack (from recycled plastic bottles)
This roll top backpack is made from up to 40 recycled plastic bottles, designed by the company that makes wheat straw biodegradable phone cases.
Due to its previous use, the backpack is waterproof, and features adjustable straps and 18L storage, with free carbon neutral delivery. Ideal for going about town, college or the office, or even backpacking abroad.
Recycled plastic clothing is not good (as microplastics leach from washing machines into the sea). But items like this (that you wipe clean) are a good way to use up recycled plastic.
The main compartment of this rucksack has an inside padded laptop pocket, with a secure Velcro strap and organiser pockets. Perfect for taking your goods from here to there!
Bags & Laptop Sleeves (from tarp covers)
Unbegun is a unique company from Amsterdam, that takes old market stall tarp covers, then washes and scrubs them, and makes them into unique colourful bags and laptop sleeves. This stops the items ended up generating greenhouse gases, in incinerators. Each bag is unique, and retains its Dutch quirks.
Amsterdam is full of local markets. After the sails cannot be used, they are sent here to remove nails and adhesive tape, then cut to form unique items for a second life.
The range includes ‘indestructible’ shopping totes for your groceries, which also is good for the office or gym. These totes uniquely also feature zippers, to keep your belongings safe.
The totes are lined with water-repellent fabric, made from recycled PET (plastic) bottles, and the bottoms feature upcycled tent material (resistant to water and dirt).
Messenger Bag (made from Recycled Seatbelts)
This messenger bag is made from a blend of recycled plastic and seatbelts, to help reduce the huge plastic waste problem in India.
Made by local artisans, this vegan-friendly bag features an adjustable recycled seat belt as the strap, with the bag made from colourful recycled dark green and yellow plastic.
With plenty of space inside, the open flap is secured by two magnetic popper compartments to reveal a roomy main compartment.
There’s also a padded compartment for a laptop, and plenty of room for A4 folders, along with two small pockets to keep your valuables safe.
India ranks third in the world for single-use plastic waste, with presently just 8% of plastic waste recycled. So supporting companies like this that use it up, is a step in the right direction, also providing local well-paid jobs.
GROUNDTRUTH: Strong Sustainable Bags, Sleek Style
GROUNDTRUTH is a quality range of travel bags made from recycled materials, all carrying whopping 10-year guarantees.
Unlike recycled plastic clothing (which leach microplastics from washing machines into the sea), recycled plastic rucksacks and travel bags are a great way to use up waste material, and are also strong and weatherproof.
These bags are all stormproof (a few are certified waterproof). But all the bags have been tested on worldwide expeditions in rough weather!
The bags also have quality YKK AquaGuard® zips to ensure belongings stay dry, just ensure the zips are completely closed.
Most of the bags can accommodate laptops, and are made to ethical standards, and everything is vegan-friendly.
Who Founded GROUNDTRUTH?
The brand was founded by three female friends, who have years of experience working for documentary films abroad (Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East). Seeing everything from drought to conflict, plastic pollution to climate change, meant they decided to create a company, to make a difference.
The range includes:
- Commuter bags
- Laptop bags
- Duffel Bags
- Rucksacks
- Technical Totes
- Waterproof Bags (above)
The bags all have excellent features between them, from shoulder straps and bungee cords, to two-way closure systems, water bottle pockets and zip pockets.
View the extensive range online, to choose your favourite.
Note these bags are expensive, but they are a one-time purchase for serious travellers, and carry 10-year guarantees. So unless you lose them, you are good to go for a decade of outdoor adventures!
A Recycled Affordable Shopping Tote
If you like the idea but the bags are out of your budget, consider their shopping tote. Made from recycled plastic and folding into its own pouch, it’s super-strong and again carries a 10-year guarantee.
Groundtruth bags use recycled plastic bottles collected from the environment. Each bag tells you how many bottles went into its making. This isn’t just a claim—it’s backed by transparent sourcing and production.
Durability sits at the heart of every Groundtruth bag. Stitched with tough, water-resistant thread and fitted with high-quality zips, the bags can handle daily use and travel.
Groundtruth doesn’t stop at recycled materials. The brand takes extra steps to balance out its carbon footprint, using offsets for every bag sold.
Packaging is also fully recyclable or compostable. These efforts help set a new standard for responsible bag makers.
Groundtruth offsets its entire carbon footprint with Wildlife Works and their Mai Ndombe project, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This protects over 740k acres in the world’s second-largest rainforest. This also helps to establish local ecological jobs.
Most Groundtruth bags offer excellent water protection thanks to tightly-woven recycled fibres and special coatings. You can’t shove them into a river, but they’ll shrug off heavy showers and train station splashes, helping to keep valuables dry.
Groundtruth makes backpacks, duffels, laptop sleeves, and tote bags. Each product serves a slightly different need, but they all use the same sustainable ethos.
Frugi Sustainable Backpacks for Children
Back-to-school buzz or a day at the park, a great kids’ backpack does more than hold lunch and a jumper. It needs to be comfy, tough and fun enough that children want to carry it. Frugi Backpacks stand out for bright prints and thoughtful details.
They look cheerful on the peg and practical on the move. Parents praise the durability and comfort, while kids love the patterns and pockets. Ideal for backpacks that keep up with nursery runs, library trips and muddy adventures.
We don’t recommend Frugi footwear, as it’s made with leather, instead choose children’s vegan footwear.
Organic cotton or hemp children’s clothing is not only more comfortable (and better for sensitive skin). But lasts longer, due to not being treated by chemicals. And launders safely (for items with synthetic fibres, use a microfibre filter).
The Lullaby Trust has safety information on baby clothing (and bedding). Mostly to not over-heat (babies control temperature through their head and face). Also don’t let babies sleep in car seats, and remove hats and cardigans, when moving to warmer temperatures (including into cars).
Why Choose Frugi Backpacks for Children?
Frugi builds its backpacks with sustainability at the core. You will find recycled fabrics and organic fibres across the range, chosen to reduce waste and keep harmful finishes away from young skin. Many styles use GOTS-certified organic cotton and recycled polyester, blending a natural feel with long-lasting strength. This mix fits a family’s values without giving up on performance.
The designs speak to children. Think whales, foxes, florals and bold colour blocking. Prints often echo Frugi’s clothing collections, so your child can match a favourite jumper or raincoat with their bag. This playful link makes it easier to get out the door, since kids feel proud to carry something that feels like theirs.
Comfort is not an afterthought. Padded straps, a lightweight build and a shaped back panel help share the load during long school days or outings. Many bags include a carry handle for hooks, mesh pockets for bottles and easy-pull zips for small hands. Sizes range from compact toddler bags for nursery to larger daypacks for primary school, so you can pick the right capacity for lunch, books and PE kits.
Ethics matter too. Frugi supports responsible manufacturing and fair conditions across its supply chain, reflecting the brand’s wider commitment to doing the right thing. For parents, this brings peace of mind alongside everyday practicality. In daily routines, these bags slot in with ease, from the school gate to weekend playdates, with pockets and compartments that keep snacks, art projects and spare socks in order.
Eco-Friendly Materials That Last
Frugi’s approach to materials balances care for the planet with day-to-day toughness. Many backpacks feature GOTS-certified organic cotton, which avoids harsh chemicals during farming and processing. Paired with recycled polyester made from repurposed plastics, the fabric mix reduces waste and cuts reliance on virgin fibres. This is kinder to the environment and feels safe against sensitive skin.
Compared with standard school bags that rely on conventional polyester or heavy coatings, Frugi’s fabrics aim for a cleaner footprint while staying hard-wearing. Parents often find that seams, zips and base panels stand up well to rough use, which lowers the need to replace bags mid-term.
Care is simple. Most styles wipe clean with a damp cloth. For deeper refreshes, check the care label first, then use a gentle cycle if the product allows. Air dry the bag, and avoid hot radiators. A quick vacuum of the crumbs in the main compartment keeps the inside tidy between washes.
Fun Designs Kids Will Love
Children choose with their eyes. Frugi’s patterns tap into that sense of joy, with animals, stars, rainbows and lively florals. Bold colours make the bag easy to spot on a peg wall or in a busy classroom. These prints often match Frugi coats, lunch bags and pencil cases, so you can build a cheerful set if you wish.
Personal touches help. Add a name tag inside, clip on a keyring or pair the backpack with a matching water bottle for a neat set. For toddlers, gentle motifs and friendly animal faces encourage them to carry their own bits and pieces. Older children often prefer crisp stripes, colour blocks or nature themes that feel a little more grown up.
Frugi Backpacks for Every Adventure
Whether you need a lightweight nursery companion or a school-ready workhorse, several Frugi styles cover the bases. Price points sit around £20 to £30, which offers strong value given the build, features and ethics. Below are four popular categories to guide your choice.
- Everyday Backpack: A versatile all-rounder for school and outings. Expect a roomy main compartment, front zip pocket for snacks and wipes, and side mesh pockets for bottles. Light padding keeps shoulders comfortable without adding bulk. Ideal for reception to Year 3.
- School Rucksack: Built for primary school needs. A larger capacity handles reading books, a lunchbox and a jumper. Some styles include an internal sleeve for tablets or slim laptops, plus reflective details for twilight walks home. Best for Year 3 and up.
- Toddler Mini Backpack: Compact and cute for nursery days. The smaller size prevents overpacking and suits tiny frames. Often features a chest strap to keep straps from slipping, plus wipe-clean panels. Great for spare clothes, cuddly toys and a small water bottle.
- Travel and Outdoor Pack: A sturdy choice for weekends, day trips and clubs. Water-resistant fabrics, secure zips and a tough base deal with drizzle and grass. The layout keeps snacks, tickets and tissues easy to reach on the go.
Parents often report that these bags help children take ownership of their kit. One common example is a child choosing the Everyday Backpack with a fox print, then packing it each evening with reading records and a pencil case. Another is the Toddler Mini becoming a beloved “treasure bag” for stones and leaves after park adventures.
Perfect for School Days
For classroom use, pick a bag with smart organisation. A School Rucksack with a book-friendly compartment and a sleeve for a tablet keeps items flat and protected. Padded, adjustable straps spread weight safely. Look for a chest strap on larger loads to reduce slipping and, by extension, strain on shoulders.
UK schools often ask for a bag that fits comfortably on pegs and holds A4 folders. Check dimensions before buying, measure the folder width and height, then compare with the product size. Add a small margin for a lunchbox and a jumper. Reflective trims help with early winter finishes, which many families value during the darker months.
Ideal for Weekends and Travel
For days out, a lighter profile wins. A compact Everyday Backpack or travel-focused style keeps hands free while storing snacks, wipes and a lightweight raincoat. Water-repellent fabrics and wipe-clean panels make life easier after puddle jumping or sandy picnics. Side pockets hold bottles, and a front pocket keeps tickets or keys to hand.
If your child uses the bag as a carry-on, opt for a style with a clear internal layout. Packing cubes or simple pouches help separate snacks from colouring pens. A cheerful print doubles as a spotter beacon on the luggage carousel or under a cafe table.
